Padres to precede cautiously with Otsuka

By: BRIAN HIRO - Staff Writer | Monday, February 21, 2005 9:27 PM PST ∞

PEORIA, Ariz. ---- The Padres have reported to spring training in good health, and manager Bruce Bochy wants to keep it that way.

Bochy said he will reduce the workload of relief ace Akinori Otsuka after the right-hander reported tenderness in his throwing shoulder. Otsuka didn't pitch Monday, and Bochy wasn't sure when he would take the mound next.

"It's nothing to be overly concerned about," Bochy said. "It's just cautionary."

Otsuka, who went 7-2 with a 1.75 ERA last season as the setup man for closer Trevor Hoffman, agreed with his manager that the shoulder isn't a problem.

He said it's just stiff from six throwing sessions in the Petco Park bullpen leading up to spring training.

Otsuka thought he might even be back on the mound today.

South of the border

While some of his teammates were soaking up their last bit of leisure time before spring training, catcher Miguel Ojeda was helping his country make history.

Ojeda was behind the plate as Mazatlan, his Mexican club team for the past decade, captured this year's Caribbean World Series by winning five of six games, capped by a 4-3 victory over the Dominican Republic on Feb. 7. The title was Mexico's fifth in the event since 1970, but its first within its own borders.

"In Mexico they have a commercial that goes, 'For breakfast, soccer; for lunch, soccer; for dinner, soccer,' " Ojeda said of the futbol-mad nation. "It was nice to get some attention for baseball."

After knocking eight home runs in 62 games as the backup to Ramon Hernandez last season, Ojeda has the luxury of knowing his roster spot is all but nailed down. Last spring, he battled tooth and nail with Tom Wilson.

"It gives me more confidence," Ojeda said, "but also pushes me to work harder."

Et cetera

Manager Bruce Bochy said he's leaning toward RHP Adam Eaton as his starter for the team's second regular-season game, April 6 at Colorado. With RHP Woody Williams slotted for Opening Day and RHP Jake Peavy for the home opener, that leaves RHP Brian Lawrence to start April 8 vs. Pittsburgh. His possible pitching counterpart? None other than his brother-in-law, Pirates LHP Mark Redman, an Escondido High graduate. Lawrence is married to Redman's sister, Maripat. ... The Padres have signed two more Australians, thanks to the work of international scouting director Randy Smith. RHP Riki Paewai and C Clinton Naylor, both well-regarded prospects from Queensland, are expected to report to Arizona for extended spring training.